Do you remember when there used to just be a handful of Easter egg choices? Well those days are gone and now we’re stuck in a labyrinth of choice with no idea which way to turn.

Being good souls, we put the mid-priced chocolate treats from the big hitters to the test so you can make an informed decision this Easter.

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M&S – A Spring Garden of Chocolate Assorted Eggs, £12

Marks’ has gone hard with this year’s Easter collection, which is probably the most impressive-looking of all the retailers. It includes a massive (£40) gold-lustred egg within an egg that is like something out of Alien and a cocoa pod-shaped 69 per cent single origin dark chocolate. In all cases, foil is out in favour of showing off sexy chocolate.

Undoubtedly beautiful, expensive-looking, highly desirable and on the thick side, the Spring Collection of eight white, milk and dark chocolate eggs is the Easter equivalent of the Kardashian clan. Flavourwise, they’re the one thing Kim and sisters cannot be described as: subtle.

FOUR stars.

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THORNTONS – Caramel Cheesecake Egg, £15

Never before has Easter witnessed such opulence. Thorntons’ Caramel Cheesecake Easter egg certainly tastes as good as it looks, but don’t expect to polish it off in one go without feeling seriously ill.

The thick, rich shell is milky yet flavoursome and contains traces of caramel which have permeated the chocolate.

The brushings of cheesecake crumbs give this treat a desirable texture while the ‘money shot’ caramel pieces leave you feeling full and satisfied after just a few mouthfuls.

FIVE stars.

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HOTEL CHOCOLAT – Milk Chocolate Egg Sandwich, £10

We all know Hotel Chocolat can produce the most extravagant and classy chocolates in the game but for a tenner you don’t get quite the same feed as the less exclusive brands.

If the egg sandwich concept looks different yet disappointing then just wait til you tuck in because it ain’t no yolk.

Misfiring (arguably) novelty shape aside, this is surely the most exquisite choccy you’ll taste. The ‘bread’ is thick and crunchy with feuilletine wafer while the egg shells are thin, delicate and melt on the tongue.

FOUR stars

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CADBURY – Dairy Milk Caramel egg with three caramel bars, £8.15

Oh Caramel Bunny. I've missed you. The chocolate is still delicious, if slightly thin.

The chocolate eggs still ooze viscous caramel albeit in a smutty way. Third sexiest cartoon character of all time (after Jessica Rabbit and Betty Boop), voiced by the esteemed actress Miriam Margolyes, you even had a dress designed for you by Giles Deacon in 1999, you really whet my appetite. 

 

Cadbury’s Chocolate caramel wouldn't be the same without you. I devoured the chocolate egg, and the two little ones filled with caramel, in one sitting.

The chocolate crumbled a bit too easily for my liking and the caramel was messy but it was still pretty delicious.

THREE stars

News Shopper: Taste Test: Easter Eggs and sweet Easter treats

TESCO - Chokablok King of Eggs, American Dreamcake Egg, £10

Never eat anything bigger than your head, goes the rule. Luckily, I’ve got a massive head. This American Dreamcake bills itself as the King of Eggs but its more US ‘royalty’ like Jack Nicholson.

Big, bold and as subtle as an axe through a hotel door, it gives as good as it gets for just a tenner.

It’s more the size of an Ostrich egg than one you’d spot if you flew over the cuckoo’s nest. It’s fun but no joker - sweet, sweet white chocolate studded with cookie pieces – and just like Jack it gives a hell of a performance that’s not for the feint-hearted.

THREE AND A HALF STARS

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ALDI - Moser Roth Decorated Easter Egg, Chocolate Delight, £2.99

This £2.99 egg from Aldi will certainly be one of the cheaper options when you venture out to make your Easter cackleberry purchases.

But, as the old proverb goes, you get what you pay for – it’s an unsatisfying snack that leaves little taste lingering in the mouth once it's been all-too-easily consumed.

Even if you're hard up for cash over the holiday period, there will be better options out there – present this one to a loved one over Easter, and you'll only have yourself to blame when they throw it back in your face.

ONE star

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LIDL – Favorina egg, £2.99

Beautifully wrapped in floral cellophane and a perfectly spring-like yellow bow, Lidl's Easter egg looks the part and promises to be a real sweet treat.

The phrase 'false promises' doesn't even cut it - I peeled back the enticing golden foil, what waited inside was far from Willy Wonka's high standards.

The egg itself was fairly tasty - standard milk chocolate, nice and thick and very good for dunking in a cup of tea. However, inside the egg sat the worst Easter treat ever to exist - dark chocolate eggs filled with egg liquor.

The filling burnt my throat. I'm not sure what I did to upset the Easter bunny but this surprise was definitely his version of Santa's sack of coal.

TWO stars

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WAITROSE - Hand Decorated Caramel Fudge Egg, £7

Crack into six-and-a-half-ounces of gooey goodness with the Waitrose caramel fudge Easter egg. But you pay for luxury, at £7 this egg is about double the price of some supermarket alternatives.

The egg is ‘hand decorated’ – ooh fancy I hear you say – with little fudge sprinkles and caramel coating.

This is an egg of two halves, so if like me you’re not a fan of the more bitter, dark chocolate then you may want to split it with a friend, which would help with the cost issue as well.

THREE stars